High temperatures make air less dense, reducing engine performance and the amount of lift produced at a given speed. That generally means lower takeoff weights and longer takeoff distances are needed to produce sufficient lift.

A near-normal season has 4 or 5 tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes. The Central Pacific hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30.

Heavy rainfall delivered by severe storms moving into the area inundated portions of southwestern Arkansas Wednesday morning, with meteorologists warning a “life-threatening situation” was unfolding. …

The National Weather Service in Portland warned of potential wildfire conditions through Wednesday night in a region encompassing parts of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northwest of the Tunnel Five Fire.

The National Weather Service warned the flooding could be “life-threatening,” with numerous impassable roads, overflowing creeks and streams and flooded basements across the Chicago area.